Nike 7on Defensive MVP

Beaverton, Ore. - With eight of the best high school teams from around the country on hand for the Nike 7on passing tournament, it was tough to pick a defensive MVP amongst the stars in attendance, but at the end of the day the Scouts of Scout.com agreed it was a less heralded player from Ohio that took the honors.

There were stars in attendance from all over the country at the Nike 7on passing tournament last week in Beaverton, Ore. With defenders such as Scout 300 members Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, James Wilder, and Marquise Lee, the competition was stiff for Scout's defensive MVP award, but at the end of the day it went to an unheralded cornerback from Cleveland, Ohio.

Malik Moore (5-10/180) of Glenville was one of several corners put out on an island for two days to attempt to pull off the unenviable task of chasing wide receivers who had no fear of being hit going across the middle, while quarterbacks sat back unmolested from defensive linemen. No one throughout the tournament did a better job of making plays when called upon than Moore.

Moore has good size, and he showed he was comfortable in both press coverage as well as turning and running with a receiver. His timing and break on the ball was excellent, and he elevates well to break up passes high to the sidelines.

Moore's Glenville team lost a heartbreaker in the last seconds to eventual 2-time 7on champion Miami Northwestern, but he helped his team rebound and win the consolation bracket.

After the tournament was over, Moore was excited to find out that he would be named Scout's Defensive MVP. "That's great," said Moore. "I just want to keep working hard and staying humble."

Moore said he didn't have any scholarship offers going into the tournament, but he's a BCS caliber cornerback and has been elevated to 3-Stars by Scout.com. The offers will be coming, and someone will be getting a steal in Moore.